Will of the Mill

nd splash of the water, there arose the peculiar strident buzz of a large bluebottle, busily on the lookout for a suitable spot on which to lay eggs.

Evidently it scented the artist, and began darting to and fro over his open mouth.

In an instant there was an angry ejaculation, one hand was set at liberty, and several blows were struck at the obnoxious fly, which, finding the place dangerous, darted off, and the artist went loudly to sleep again. The boys exchanged glances, and Josh stole out one hand, pulled a hart's-tongue fern up by the roots, and, with admirable aim, pitched it so that it fell right on the sleeper's chest.

The artist sat up suddenly, staring about him, while the boys crouched perfectly motionless in their hiding-place.

"What's that?" reached their ears, and they saw the sleeper feeling about till his hand came in contact with the dry fern root.

"Why, it must have been that," he muttered aloud, and he turned it over and over.

Josh uttered a faint s